Planetary Science

  1. Planetary Science

    Unseen planets sweep up dust around young star

    A large gap in the dusty disk around a young star reveals what our solar system might have looked like 4.6 billion years ago.

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  2. Astronomy

    Good night, Philae

    The Philae lander has depleted its batteries and gone into idle mode, probably drawing to a close the surface-based study of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

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  3. Planetary Science

    Two travelers from far beyond Neptune return home

    Two bodies approaching from the edge of the solar system may have been tossed out there by Jupiter over 4 billion years ago.

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  4. Planetary Science

    A distant planet may lurk far beyond Neptune

    Strange orbits in the Kuiper belt revive talk of a Planet X in the solar system.

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  5. Psychology

    Rigors of Mars trip make teamwork a priority

    It’s going to take a different kind of mental approach to travel to Mars and back: less individuality, more collaboration and adaptability. Astronauts are being tested to prepare for such a mission.

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  6. Astronomy

    Philae lander image raises questions about probe’s health

    Early reports suggest that Rosetta's lander Philae bounced twice when landing on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

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  7. Astronomy

    Rosetta mission lander set to explore surface of comet

    The Rosetta spacecraft’s minifridge-sized lander Philae is now on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and is beginning to study its geology and chemistry.

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  8. Planetary Science

    Philae lander touches down on comet 67P

    Rosetta’s lander Philae has reached the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and is starting to do science.

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  9. Astronomy

    Philae lander is in free fall toward comet 67P

    The Rosetta spacecraft has nudged its lander Philae off its back toward the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

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  10. Planetary Science

    Philae passes first go-no-go tests for comet landing

    Philae and its mothership Rosetta are working through the final tests before scientists attempt to launch the lander toward the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

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  11. Astronomy

    Rosetta’s countdown to comet landing has begun

    Everything is on track for Rosetta mission scientists to attempt to set the Philae lander on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

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  12. Planetary Science

    Rosetta prepares to let go of its comet lander

    To date, everything is a go for scientists to attempt to land a robotic probe on a comet.

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